- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Boo heads back home for the bear necessities
TENILLE BONOGUORE
The most daring romance in British Columbia came to an end on Saturday when Boo the lusty grizzly bear dragged his bedraggled rump back home, tired, hungry and more than a little worse for wear.
The 4½-year-old orphan was seen sniffing around his enclosure at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, from which he escaped twice to reach lady loves -- the second time breaking through a 180-kilogram steel door and two electric fences before storming a four-metre-high barrier.
Staff saw him, opened the gate and put some lunch out for him. Once the bear was inside, they shut the gate behind him and recharged the electric fence as a weary Boo ate and then took a nap.
But this young bachelor's story may not end there: Boo the bear very well may have left a little legacy in the outside world.
"Yes, Boo could be a dad," Kicking Horse spokesman Michael Dalzell said yesterday. He said the bear had lost weight and was very tired.
Boo had spent five weeks on the lam from his 22-acre enclosure: three weeks in the company of a female and the last two trekking solo through the B.C. hills.
But his wild bachelor days may be numbered. In ominous news, the dreaded "neuter" word is being uttered among the people who must decide Boo's fate.
While castration is not a certainty, Mr. Dalzell said it was one of the options to be discussed with the Ministry of Environment, along with the possibility of fitting the 280-kilogram bear with a radio collar so he can be tracked via GPS in the event of another breakout.
"We can't be going through this every mating season. We have to have a game plan," Mr. Dalzell said.
"We do not plan to neuter him at this time. A lot has happened in the last five weeks and we do not want to put any stress on the bear. We're looking at all different possibilities. Our two priorities are public safety and safety for the bear."
A huge groundswell of support has grown for Boo's release into the wild. Barb Murray of Bears Matter B.C. led the call, saying Boo's artful escapes proved his desire to roam free.
But this latest turn of events could dampen Boo's chances of getting outside again. Mr. Dalzell said the bear's voluntary return shows he is too used to human contact for release.
Boo grew up in the sanctuary after a hunter in Quesnel illegally shot and killed his mother in 2002. His brother, Cari, died at Kicking Horse from a twisted intestine, and Boo has been alone ever since.
With mating season over, Mr. Dalzell said a decision about Boo's future is less urgent.
In the meantime, this roving romantic will continue eating and sleeping as he recovers from the big adventure. And staff will be watching him every minute.
"If at any time Boo either escapes, or attempts to get out, we will know," Mr. Dalzell said.
TENILLE BONOGUORE
The most daring romance in British Columbia came to an end on Saturday when Boo the lusty grizzly bear dragged his bedraggled rump back home, tired, hungry and more than a little worse for wear.
The 4½-year-old orphan was seen sniffing around his enclosure at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, from which he escaped twice to reach lady loves -- the second time breaking through a 180-kilogram steel door and two electric fences before storming a four-metre-high barrier.
Staff saw him, opened the gate and put some lunch out for him. Once the bear was inside, they shut the gate behind him and recharged the electric fence as a weary Boo ate and then took a nap.
But this young bachelor's story may not end there: Boo the bear very well may have left a little legacy in the outside world.
"Yes, Boo could be a dad," Kicking Horse spokesman Michael Dalzell said yesterday. He said the bear had lost weight and was very tired.
Boo had spent five weeks on the lam from his 22-acre enclosure: three weeks in the company of a female and the last two trekking solo through the B.C. hills.
But his wild bachelor days may be numbered. In ominous news, the dreaded "neuter" word is being uttered among the people who must decide Boo's fate.
While castration is not a certainty, Mr. Dalzell said it was one of the options to be discussed with the Ministry of Environment, along with the possibility of fitting the 280-kilogram bear with a radio collar so he can be tracked via GPS in the event of another breakout.
"We can't be going through this every mating season. We have to have a game plan," Mr. Dalzell said.
"We do not plan to neuter him at this time. A lot has happened in the last five weeks and we do not want to put any stress on the bear. We're looking at all different possibilities. Our two priorities are public safety and safety for the bear."
A huge groundswell of support has grown for Boo's release into the wild. Barb Murray of Bears Matter B.C. led the call, saying Boo's artful escapes proved his desire to roam free.
But this latest turn of events could dampen Boo's chances of getting outside again. Mr. Dalzell said the bear's voluntary return shows he is too used to human contact for release.
Boo grew up in the sanctuary after a hunter in Quesnel illegally shot and killed his mother in 2002. His brother, Cari, died at Kicking Horse from a twisted intestine, and Boo has been alone ever since.
With mating season over, Mr. Dalzell said a decision about Boo's future is less urgent.
In the meantime, this roving romantic will continue eating and sleeping as he recovers from the big adventure. And staff will be watching him every minute.
"If at any time Boo either escapes, or attempts to get out, we will know," Mr. Dalzell said.
